<p>This is basically a Northwestern v. Wesleyan thread: </p>
<p>I'm a current freshman (Medill, journalism) at NU and was unhappy with the lack of community here in the fall/winter. I also was unsure about the pre-professional track; I know I want to do something with writing/communications/media, but my current program seemed a little to practical, especially b/c I'm not completely sure I want to be a straight up "reporter". </p>
<p>That being said, I've made a serious effort to get involved at NU and by the time my Wes acceptance came in, I had made a lot of improvements and now I'm completely unsure of what to do. My parents are cool with whichever school I pick, but I told them I'd decide by Thursday (2 days), but of course I'm completely undecided. THOUGHTS? please and thanks</p>
<p>If you think it’s hard being involved when you start as a freshman, you’ll absolutely hate being a transfer. Have you considered doing an internal transfer to do something that’s not journalism but still writing-intensive?</p>
<p>if i’m not going to be doing journalism, i want to be in a liberal arts setting. my classes in weinberg haven’t been too too impressive, to be honest. i think what i’m missing most right now at northwestern is the feel of a cohesive, open campus and a strong sense of community. </p>
<p>but you’re right about perhaps having trouble starting over. i really don’t know what i’m going to do.</p>
<p>If what you are looking for is a stronger sense of community then you most certainly need to ask yourself whether Wesleyan will offer you that. That is a VERY difficult question to definitively answer prior to matriculation. I’m not saying this is the case but you might be experiencing the “grass is greener” syndrome.</p>
<p>From personal experience I have to say I am so happy I didn’t transfer from Northwestern after my freshman year. I applied and was accepted as a transfer to two schools, both of which I probably would chosen over NU had I not been rejected/waitlisted as a HS applicant. So that made it all the more difficult to stay at NU. I, too, was in Medill and ultimately ended up transferring to Weinberg, and I consider that decision the smartest and best I have ever made. No doubt your and my circumstances and situations differ greatly, but I would be more than happy to offer feedback on my non-transfer experience haha. Feel free to PM me if you want.</p>
<p>GOing from NU to Wes is a drastic change, so you’d better be sure it’s the kind of change that is right for you: i.e., from a constantly buzzing, Big 10, top university in Evanston/Chicago, on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan to a small LAC, with equally fine academics (but probably narrower course offerings), in Middletown, CT (which is not the most appealing place).
Academically, they are both great, but the atmospheres - socially and otherwise - couldn’t be more different.
The choice for me and my kid would be easy, but I also know several kids who wouldn’t want to be anywhere but Wes.</p>
<p>I back up what others say- if you’re looking for more community, try shifting to smaller communities within NU, e.g. Rushing (informal if you’re a girl is preferable to formal), joining a residential college, applying to a small academic program such as the creative writing program. If you don’t like medill, transfer out of Medill. You likely just didn’t pick your WCAS classes that well to be honest- Live and die by CTECs.</p>
<p>It’s so funny I know somebody who’s in the opposite situation as you. Trying to transfer into NU from Wesleyan, except as a liberal arts major. He says the really out-there student body was fun for a while but got really annoying.</p>
<p>Btw, I’m surprised you think the Medill curriculum is stifling since it was designed to give people flexibility. Of the 45 classes you are required to take to graduate, you are only required to take 12-14 in Medill and the rest in other schools. The idea is once you’re equipped with journalism tools, you will develop some specialty in one or two areas so you will have an informed perspective on what you’re reporting. It’s odd you don’t know about the Medill curriculum and you feel your education will only prepare you to go into reporting. I suggest looking at the required courses Medill students have to take.</p>
<p>^^Wesleyan is not just small, it is reputed to be quite quirky too, so I guess if it’s not your type of quirky, you’re in trouble. That’s one reason to stay at NU.</p>